Villalona’s arrival is delayed

Angel Villalona’s visa has been delayed because of a combination of health and weight issues.

“It’s a visa that requires they be an elite athlete,” Giants vice president of baseball operations Bobby Evans said. “He’s not in what (the U.S. consulate would) view as top physical or medical condition.”

Evans said the delay could be 24 hours or multiple weeks. He said the club is “disappointed but also hopeful.”

Villalona has not entered the U.S. since September 2009, when he was arrested and charged in a barroom shooting that left 25-year-old Mario Felix de Jesus Velete dead in La Romana.

After nearly two years of incarceration or house arrest, all charges against the slugging prospect were dropped. According to reports in the Dominican, Villalona also settled with the victim’s family to prevent a civil suit.

Major League Baseball removed Villalona from its restricted list late last year, and the Giants added him to their 40-man roster to prevent another club from plucking him away in the Rule 5 draft.

Santiago Casilla saw Villalona in January and said “he looked ok,” but Casilla added that sometimes there are issues “we’re not aware of.”

??? Sorry, this one doesn’t pass the Sniff Test. Something else going on behind the scenes here. Dominican authorities can’t be too happy that this guy basically bought his way out of a murder charge for $139k to the victim’s family.

Giants need to cut ties with this guy. Even from a pure performance view…he was something like 245/40 K/BB in the development leagues, wasn’t he?

Those who know Angel Villalona are stunned that the young San Francisco Giants minor league prospect – who they say is afraid of dogs and even carnival rides – has been charged with murdering a man in a bar in his native Dominican Republic.

Villalona, 19, wore a bullet-proof vest Monday as he pleaded not guilty in a courtroom in La Romana, Dominican Republic, to murdering the 25-year-old man Saturday night. A judge ordered him jailed for two months while he awaits a trial where, if convicted, he could be sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Villalona, a first baseman with what scouts have described as enormous power potential, won a signing bonus of $2.1 million from the Giants in 2006, just four days after his 16th birthday. It was the most the team had ever paid for an amateur.

He played this year with the team’s minor league affiliate in San Jose, hitting .267 with nine home runs in 74 games before a leg injury ended his season.

According to Adelaida Hernandez, a veteran sports reporter in Dominican, Villalona went to a bar in La Ramona over the weekend and headed for his usual VIP seat. A man named Mario Felix de Jesus Velete was in his seat and wouldn’t give it up.

Then, police say, Villalona shot him.

“He’s not supposed to have a gun – he’s not even supposed to drink,” Hernandez said. “But you know what – when people have a lot of money, things happen.”

Those who know Villalona, however, say the account doesn’t ring true.

“That doesn’t sound like him at all,” said Jack Hiatt, the team’s former director of player development. “He’s a great kid and borders on extreme quiet. I’ve never seen him get angry. He might get mad at himself for striking out, but that’s it.”

For three months until early July, when he tore a quadricep muscle and went to rehabilitate in Arizona, Villalona lived with Ed and Donna Musgrave of San Jose, a retired couple who have housed a number of minor league players from the Dominican. Donna Musgrave said Villalona became like a son to the couple.

“I was just shocked – dumbfounded,” she said, calling him a very nice person with a mirthful sense of humor.

Although too shy to speak much English, Villalona would make Musgrave and her family laugh by donning funny glasses and costume wigs he found around their house.

“He was a sweetheart,” Musgrave said.

Villalona played basketball with the Musgraves’ 12-year-old grandson and joined the family and the other minor-league players on outings to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk – but stopped short of trying out any of the rides.

Our own Alex got a mention in Giants Rumors …
====
Alex Pavlovic of the San Jose Mercury News says number 3 prospect in the Giants organization (according to Baseball America) Heath Hembree was throwing bullets in his bullpen session.

For those of you that haven’t heard of Hembree. He’s a guy that you might want to keep an eye on. He went 1-0 with a 1.86 ERA in 53.1 innings between San Jose and Richmond. Did I forget to mention that he had 38 saves too?!?!

given Hembree’s obvious skill, is there any chance that the Giants hold him back and try a stretch him out for a starter role. In what I saw on CU’s clip, all he needs is a changeup and stamina to fit that scenario. What’s impressive about this young guy is his corner command. No heat jockey his age has that, it almost unheard of for a young guy bumping triple digits in his FB to exhibit that kind of control.

Kruk was raving about Hembree on M&M this morning too. Kruk basically said that, with Hembree’s fastball and slider, with his confidence in them and his ability to locate them both, he should be in the big leagues. Kruk suggested that the kid could even make the big league club out of ST. It sure will be interesting to see how it works out.

CC: Great out of the box thoughts BUT I think the Giants need CLOSER protection right at this minute rather than converting HH to a starter. I noticed that Bochy and Raggs situated HH and Wilson right next to each other on the bull pen mounds.

–Later at his locker, even WITH-Beard Wilson was much more subdued than other years during an interview with (?) Syre.

–Prior to that in an interview IMO he threw the SF Organization under the bus with mentioning ALL the aches and pains he had all last year. His I won’t take a day off …. I will pitch lefthanded if I have to … are OLD takes on his “I am the Captain of the Ship” mantra….

If anyone wants to watch a REFRESHING interview from a Pitcher who is not worried about a schtick – watch Clay Hensley talking in complete sentences with Jim Kozimor. I would link it here BUT CSNBayArea/chroniclelive forgot to LINK it on their site 🙁

Just a side note to the interested, there is a good article in Fangraphs about Yadir Molina’s last year before FA, but more interestingly to our discussions about Posey and his durability, there is a great graph about catcher decline.

Now, I’m of two minds now. Posey’s injury may shorten his stint as a catcher by a year or two. However, if you look at it a bit differently, his year off may actually extend his career. In the Nolan Ryan vid I posted yesterday, I was struck by Ryan’s thesis that an older (picher in his case) player can endure stress a lot better if not traumatized by a heavy innings load when young. So I wonder if a year off, might not have let Posey mature where he doesn’t experience the natural ravages that catching has on young players. If so, we might actually see Posey stay behind the plate until a greater age, assuming his fracture heals properly and his train in is done properly, without rushing.

When Ryan came up he was 6’2″, 155 #, when he left he was the same height and 212#. At both weights he reminded one more of a piece of Jerky, than big. Venture discovered how tough an old guy can be.

JD4SF says: February 21st, 2012 at 1:47 pm 13..On Hembree …It occurs to me that bringing him up as lights out bullpen guy who also can be a closer might be very viable without a lot of re-tooling. From the bullpen he might become a Go To guy when a starter has a bad start and we want a bullet pitcher to get us back in the game ASAP.
Thoughts?

—Right now I think THAT guys name is Clay Hensley. Plus-Plus “Velo” in MLB is not as important as command, the Change-Up/Cutter. Although Hembree has apparently ALL the tools to do the above – I think that fact that Hensley has 4 pitches that he can bring into a relief role or spot starter role means CHensley is the odds favorite to be that guy.

Tidrow and Evans need to groom HH more based on the SF template. Super velocity works in MilB but not as much at the top levels.

The best knuckleball hitter, Mickey Mantle. But he had a secret, he had the best knuckleball on the Yankees.

“There have been some good knuckleball hitters. Mickey Mantle beat Wilhelm with a home run in 1960 and Barney Schultz in Game 3 of the 1964 World Series. Each pitcher threw knuckleballs, and Mantle swung big. And it worked. Mantle himself threw such a mean knuckler that teammates declined to play catch with him. “I used to get hurt more before the game if I played catch with him,” Elston Howard said.”

“Billy Martin liked to follow Phil Niekro’s right-handed knuckleballs with Dave Righetti’s left-handed fastballs on the 1985 Yankees. “The only thing worse,” Tigers outfielder Kirk Gibson said, “would be if he just left Niekro in there.”

Joe Neikro used to do the same thing with J. R. Richards on the mid 70s Astros. I can recall Joe Morgan just almost in tears with the frustration he used to feel when he returned to a hometown welcome in Houston with Niekro and Richards back to back. There you go Zito, a new option on your career.

A MAJOR question for you blog chiefs, writers. Sneak in a radar gun and let us know what and the heck Zito’s FB velocity is. Inquiring minds NEED to know, in order to know when to bring beer and a seat belt to the TV.

I know I mentioned it before (somewhere) and CC brings it up again, BUT why DOESN’T Zeets try to develop a knuckle ball? I know it isn’t something you just pick up one season, but I don’t know of anyone who has EVER played baseball that didn’t try to throw a knuckle-something. What the hell could it hurt for Z to have another pitch (or should I say A PITCH) that was difficult to hit? Maybe a Zen-znuckle, or something mystical, like a transenduckleball? Hey, it could happen.

If Villalona was found innocent and/or the charges dropped, then the Giants should keep him. As has been already stated, there’s some freaky things going on down there with regards to targeting people with money.

Also: My refrigerator died and I had to throw out all the food in it. Waiting for repair parts. I had a healthy tuna sandwich and a yogurt all ready to take to campus for lunch, but oh, well. So at lunchtime I drove past the Davis Jack in the Box just to see how the drive-through line was. No one there, so I took that as a sign. Yep: Two for 99 cents, baby. Thought of you.

We checked out Don and Charlie’s a couple years ago. Kind of a madhouse. Haven’t tried the Pink Pony. We’re staying right in Old Town Scottsdale this time, so will send a report for sure. And I’ll definitely keep an eye out for Pat the Bat!

Hembree: Barring an injury to one of the bullpen vets, my guess is that Hembree goes to Fresno, perhaps getting a call-up in July or so. They’ll want to see how he does in the bigs before making a decision on Wilson’s new contract. I remember in 2010, Kimbrel (the Braves’ stud young closer) was the set-up guy while Billy Wagner was still the closer. The Giants are so deep in the bullpen that there is no need to rush Hembree, but I do predict he will be in SF well before September.

Bapah: I’ve commented a couple of times on Baggs’s new blog, but under my real name–I’ve signed in using my Twitter account–too lazy to set up a CSN account (yet).

channelclemente says: February 21st, 2012 at 2:16 pm 24..A MAJOR question for you blog chiefs, writers. Sneak in a radar gun and let us know what and the heck Zito’s FB velocity is. Inquiring minds NEED to know, in order to know when to bring beer and a seat belt to the TV.

Scoreboard operators get to go on break when Zeets is on mound, besides velocity won’t be his waterloo either way UNLESS he’s 81-83. He needs command and movement. He has command and movement off the field with new wife, now needs the same “on the bump”.

Ok, here’s a question for the non-luddite faction. I use No-Script and control which of the Java scripts I allow to infiltrate my life. I do not see KIR’s avatar, but I see other’s on here, but sometimes old ones as in Al-Oha. Can anyone tell me if my blocking scripts could be causing this? I also tried to place an avatar here but was unsuccessful. Could the mysterious ways of Sun Microsystems be my problem?

Giant’s talk is the collective which includes Jaymee (sp?) and others. “Extra Baggs:” was the lead, as was “Extra:”. Sometimes it is just the topic as the lead. I don’t know what he is doing, maybe just fooling around with different leads.

His latest is “EXTRAS: Sandoval’s weight isn’t a hefty issue” So your guess is as good as mine. But the latest story is always the photo/link/title on the left above the comment section. Here, I always have to click on the ExtraBaggs title at the top to take me to the master page to see id there is a new story.

channelclemente says: February 21st, 2012 at 3:38 pm 45..CU,
if his FB velocity isn’t 88 MPH+, no amount of movement is going to save him. No sequencing of pitches or late movement will make any difference at all. He will be burned toast by the 2nd inning.

CC: Has BZ been even NEAR 88 the last few seasons?

– I got in ATT 3 hours early ONCE last yr due to my groundskeep buddy.

Pablo was at Home Plate answering a bet he made with a teammate. Sandoval said he could throw with EITHER hand on a fly from Home to the Water in McCovey Cove. Teammate lost the bet.

Sandoval is the perfect lesson doctor for Zeets; Convert BZ into a Switch Thrower 😉

Bapah says: February 21st, 2012 at 3:50 pm Here, I always have to click on the ExtraBaggs title at the top to take me to the master page to see id there is a new story.

Bapah: Funny how different that can be… At home it pretty much pops up as most recent. At work or at a public PC I just type in baggs in the search box and up pops a Google cache site and I click on Extra Baggs (which doubful that it will ever go away) Once I click on EB – the most recent article pops up….

Bapah – it’s possible gravatar is using javascript to load the images, so yeah you could be blocking them. I don’t know that that is the problem though – I don’t block any javascript and I’ve had issues with gravatar as well, seeing some and not seeing others.

Bapah says: February 21st, 2012 at 3:53 pm 52..Clutch, over there I attach it directly to your comment. Here, I may be several places down, as I am now.

WoW, okay that IS something we ALL had clammored for.
(1) Be able to comment directly to one another…
(2) Have past articles CLOSED upon a new Article…
(3) Better “idiot” Supervision… And No personal attacks …
(4) And so on…..

And then Andrew moved. My way long time ago hunch had Andy going back to Chicago, but now he’s just a click away,

During his 2010 nine win period at the season’s beginning, I charted Zito. His max FB velocity was as fast as 90 MPH on the radar until mid June when it began to drop over a 3-4 week period it declined slowly to 84 MPH by late July. At 86 MPH, he ceased to win, period. I don’t think he had a quality start even below 86 MPH. It was uncanny. Above 88 MPH, 9 wins, below all losses. With his FB, cut FB, curveball sequencing, he couldn’t fool anyone more than 1 time through the LU at a FB velocity below 86-88, it was BP.

To any who want to read about the details of how Madoff killed the Mets, this is a great article. If true Wilpon/Katz need to be in jail.

The format here works better for me. Today I’ve been “here” a lot. But when I miss a while (or there is just enough traffic that it takes more time to catch up) I like to catch up with a lot of replies in one post. Feels more like an open conversation with the group.

The threaded format at CSN isn’t so accommodating of that approach. My $.02

I think I see what CSN hopes is their blog draw. With the pictured (a word Ms. UCD?) links showing all articles along the right edge, I think the operators hope that folks come into Giants talk and click back and forth to post their comments in a subject specific way. That way Baggarly can build a census of articles to comment on, and keep up interest over a longer period of time. Sort of ‘channel surfing’.

The glich may be 1. troll interruption is easier in their format, and 2. tighter knit blog communities like this one may not enjoy searching out the comments of posters they follow over such a large ‘map’.

Yeah, I was just there and what you said makes sense. I did change my screen name; was unable to get “Lefty,” but close enough–you’ll recognize me.

I liked the comment that Sandoval is starting to get “snippy” in response to questions about his weight, and I don’t blame him one bit. Returning to a thought I raised yesterday, if you’re noticeably “snippy” in your SECOND language, you’re coming along pretty well.

One example of good progress from Hector’s interview: He was waxing enthusiastic about the experience last year of catching “great pitchers” like Tim Lincecum and Ryan Vogelsong and commented that after a couple of innings, he and the pitchers were “on the same page.” That’s good idiomatic usage for an English learner.

CC, a valid point. Unfortunately there are faults with both. Baggs is being quite prolific at the moment, as is Alex, and more than anything I like reading THEIR stuff, but you guys are all right too. I don’t necessarily agree that it is any easier here to follow threads when there are frequent postings by the fearless leader, whether it be Baggs or Alex. I just find that giving you or clutch or anyone else grief over a particular comment is easier in the other format. One thing that doesn’t exist here is flagging. We could have used it here several months ago.

I’ll read both, but it’s an interesting exercise to try and understand what each blog outlet is trying to achieve. I have to admit my experiences at the Chronicle’s Splash, which employs a similar format as CSN, made me sensitive to those issues I mentioned. I still read the Chronicle, but I have to admit I post on the A’s blog most often, where at least your pretty sure everyone thinks your an alien.

Bapah says: February 21st, 2012 at 5:07 pm 76.. I just find that giving you or clutch or anyone else grief over a particular comment is easier in the other format. One thing that doesn’t exist here is flagging. We could have used it here several months ago.

🙂 I figured away around that LONG ago. I just address my response to the party who remarked at one of “mine” and I cut and paste part of their “lead in”.

I don’t mind being an alien, I just want them to realize I come in peace.

It’s amazing how low the baseball IQ is at this point on Baggarly’s new blog. Nobody seems to really be tuned to the ‘stats POV’. Usually there are a few. For instance, this one young lad seemed not to understand Cains 0.185 BA against LHB as a RHP, and it’s significance at Yankee Stadium. No metaphor is safe either.

Dr. Lefty,
I find it frustrating to listen to some of the ESL newbies mostly because of diction, not with fluency or understanding. Is it not, or perhaps, would it not be advantageous for these guys to be schooled in proper articulation, or something since they have to speak to the media. I remember when I was taking German, I had to learn proper “voicing” (e.g. umlauts move the sound from the back of your mouth to the front and tongue control was practiced as well for r’s in Spanish) I listened to Hector and he sounded as if he learned English from a Spanish speaker. (which he probably did, I guess)

Lefty – appreciated your comment “over there” in support of the Panda. IMHO, Pablo has earned a lot more respect than Bochy is giving him. Glad Pablo is “getting a little snippy.” 🙂

Channel – the “mood lighting” that is set by the web page design over at CSN is quick and fast-paced. It lends itself to comment rather than discussion. Sorry that it’s been about 25 years since I studied the cognitive psych of information layout, if you will. I can’t quote you the “why” of what I’m seeing anymore. LOL. But I think you said it when you said “channel surfing.”

Hey, POI, has anyone taken a peek at Pat the Bat’s house that’s for sale? Holy Smokes! I looked a Steve’s link to Andy and Henry’s video and on the right are some photos of Cain’s house and Pat’s house. Click on Pat’s for an exterior shot and on the right are many more to look at. Not bad digs for anyone, except Jeter, maybe. Worth a look.

You have it exactly right–diction (or pronunciation) is the issue for both Hector and Sandoval. In fact, their English pronunciation is similar (though Panda’s is getting better)–which makes me wonder both about the dialect of Spanish in VZ and about how they learned English. You’re also right about the teachers. The vast majority of English/ESL teachers in the world are nonnative speakers of English, which of course limits the progress their students make, especially in listening and speaking.

This is less of an issue in a world where you can listen to American music and watch American TV or movies on the Internet. But obviously grappling with English everyday in the U.S. (and trying to communicate) leads to the fastest progress. Sandoval has really come a long way in two years; if you compare his interviews between 2009 and 2011, it’s quite a difference. His Tweets have improved in the last year, too! I’m sure it’s because he’s so obviously extroverted–personality style is also a factor in language learning. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that he picked up some Chinese in Taiwan, too!

“Still dont think there was anything moderate-able in the entire gig. Prime Rib – meat – cut – butter knife. Must be losing the edge I never had. ;)”

Haha. Knives…losing your “edge…” haha.

Affeldt’s exchange with Baggs was good-humored (glad he can laugh at himself about this)–but it’s interesting to note that he does pay attention both to Twitter and to blogs/stories. I saw him take on Henry Schulman on Twitter late last season when Hank speculated that Affeldt had “pitched his last game in a Giants uniform” (after Affeldt’s burger accident). Affeldt was clearly annoyed by this (and I guess he did, indeed, have the last laugh).

Mr. Jazz Hands Uribe Me-Happy, must have not gotten enough mentoring back in the day, because he was almost TOO reluctant to speak. Edgar also….

Whereas Andres Torres latched onto a phrase… “I’m blessed”… was included in almost every delivery, along with the fact that legend goes that he said HELLO to EVERYONE anytime he saw them even if the same person passed him by only seconds before…. 🙂

Torres’s English is quite good, despite his beginning almost every interview with “Please excuse me my English”! And he used to always say “It’s a bless” and “thanks God,” both of which I found charming. The Puerto Rican players in general have better articulation–thinking also of Bengie Molina and Carlos Beltran–which may have to do with proximity and opportunities to interact with native English speakers.

Lefty…that was IT. I had it wrong. “Its a Bless” was 24/7/365 with Andres 🙂

Throughout history I can remember how charming it was for decent english to be delivered by players like Tony Perez and especially our own Orlando Cepeda (love to hear him speak) and of course #27 our Dominican Dandy…. their respective accents made it all the more special.

When I was becoming a Giant fan – I use to listen to Lon Simmons (try) to interview Jose Pagan (no relations) and he and many of his teammates would respond “That’s Right Lon”…. although I very shy Willie McCovey would respond the same way 🙂

The Affeldt-Baggs exchange actually started in a great Chronicle Live interview with Affeldt on the advantages (safer) of BBQing defrosted burgers rather than frozen. Affeldt made some comments about expecting Baggs renewed coverage. Baggs obliged in his article, then the follow-up occurred on Twitter.

The latest exchange on Twitter was:
Affeldt: It’s all fun&games until a “wild pitch” hits a beat writer.
Baggs: I’m no scud stud, but my reflexes ain’t so bad!

What a hoot!

What I’m REALLY liking from the various sources – Alex, Baggs, TV interviews – is all the players appear to be in good spirits, relaxed, yet focused on 2012.

@JD, @PTD, et al., who have stated this blog needs a totally new name, while Andy should keep ExtraBaggs.

You’ve won me over; had originally thought this blog could simply drop the extra “g” in homage to Andy, but now, ITA that Andy should bring ExtraBaggs w/ him to his new site. He is, afterall, the original ExtraBaggs.

Problem is, at this time, I don’t have a good suggestion for this blog yet….still thinking and will post if a new idea comes to mind.

——————
@CC. Thx for articles on catchers & their “aging” curves.
imho, catchers are the unsung heros in baseball, well, but not by Tony LaRussa. During his on-field interview after just having won WS2011, I think Yadier’s the first person he spoke of.

I think Cards will hang onto Yadier. They know his value.

——————
@Clutch. ITA w/ format of CSN being a bit cumbersome.
I think the problem w/ CSN’s site is that multiple posts cannot be opened all-at-once, on one page, with a brief entree as it is here.

I do though, like the nested format for replies to comments. It’s easier to read. I don’t, however, like the non-reverse chronological order it generates; not consistent w/ the reverse-chron order of the blog. (geez, just read that; doesn’t read well; very hard to explain).

off topic: RIP, Mr. Martinez. His legacy lives long across many sports.

Way off topic: I encourage everyone to rent the film “Mozart and the Whale” (released as “Crazy in Love” in Europe).

It’s a charming romantic semi-comedy based on the true-life story of an autistic couple. I am slightly autistic so I identified. My condition is more like the lady than the man in that I have perfect pitch and not a lot of control in what I say. I am no savant but I used to show off to friends by doing square roots in my head, the hard way, step by step, carrying the numbers along in different compartments of my brain. I enjoyed doing that.

Since Hembree was brought up, I am re-posting what ESPN’s Keith Law said about him in a recent “Top 20 Prospects to make an impact in 2012”.

Hoping for prolonged luck and health for the bullpen, but if the Giants need help in the stretch run (versus Sabean going out and trading for someone)…Hembree sure gives the team a nice option to turn to.

20. Heath Hembree, RHP | Top 100 rank — NR: If the Giants need a reliever at some point this season, Hembree’s their best internal option, and a potential future closer for them as well, with a big fastball up to 98 mph and progress with both his slider and changeup now that he’s pitching regularly.

Found you on Baggs blog at CSN. Loved your post, but trying to follow the “drop downs” is a drag! Still like it here better, though I will continue to go over to read the articles and posts. But, you, Channel, BaPah, E-B, JD4SF and others from this blog are definitely “classing up” that one!!

Our fellow diehard Giants fan and commenter Mike Souza is currently on life support after a car accident. He might have rubbed some wrong on here with his passion and use/misuse of bold and blunt typing and use of many adjectives, but I can tell you after knowing him for 8+ years, that he is one helluva good dude who deserves our prayers.

Listening to various radio and video interviews, the players (new and returning) keep talking about what a “great group of guys” it is and how happy they are to see each other again. The fact that most players are reporting earlier than required seems like a good indication of positive energy and chemistry, too.

Melky: He’s the one I don’t really have a read on yet. Angel Pagan was quoted extensively right after his trade and interviewed extensively during the Fan Fest, so you can tell he’s happy to be there and excited for the opportunity. Hoping that when Melky arrives, we get such a positive vibe from him, too. He’s a young guy and not exactly a superstar, so I wouldn’t expect him to be a diva with an attitude…

ClutchUp – When Hensley and others “rise above” the questions that should have never come out of the KNBR host’s* pie hole…I think it’s an opportunity for the guest to truly show the type of person they really are. It would be easy to end the interview abruptly and/or hang up the phone…but the Hensleys of the world hang in there and deal with things gracefully.

Finishing up here before hopping over to Alex’s new post.
Not sure what was inappropriate anymore these days. Murphys storied past resume is what sometimes bothers me that he’s caught up in this new realm of what to be. His past sports coverages especially his golf articles were respected. If Art Spander respects somebody – then so do I. Kozimor had ALREADY brought it up on TV several nights ago.

Today I war ready to consider the soursce UNTIL Murph had a self-reflection-talking-out-loud moment when he asked co-host Paul “if I should have brought that up”. Say no more, If the author of the question doubts himself then…

As an ol’ pitcher himself Anti will tell you that wasn’t the worst pitch Hensley has ever thrown. It was off the plate AWAY and Barry “just went with the pitch”. Numerically it was a BIG deal.

Keep’n It Real says: February 22nd, 2012 at 10:50 am 137..ClutchUp – When Hensley and others “rise above” the questions that should have never come out of the KNBR’s…….

KIR: Agreed…. In effect they do rise above IT when they take the high road and dont bail. These phone call hook ups can be dicey and OTHER people in both camps do all the leg work for the out front people.

The only peope who rose above it the old fashion way were Ken Norton Junior and Jeremy Newberry who walked off the TV set of KTVU when Barbieri was being Barbieri back in the day 😉

Agreed that this needs a NEW name. I’ve authored MANY old and tired examples on several of Pav’s Threads. Doubtful that even though you are including an acronym for the Bay Area News Group and put a G in front repping our Giants – that Bud Geracie’s insiders would approve of your sensitive choice. (ala Chink in the Armour via ESPN)

I’m waiting for Bud, Alex and Carl to provide us with a multiple choice poll before Opening Day… but until then I feel comfortable with Multiple Baggs choices…